D-Day Commemorative

The events of 6 Jun 1944 were momentous and in some way, shape, or form many of us across the globe commemorate this day. Right now we're watching "The Longest Day" one of my favorite films. Earlier today I was out in The Cave and messed around with a new diorama base I've been putzing with the last couple of weeks or so - in between working on the train layout and photographing and posting space toys  and, oh yeah, my day job LOL

I pulled out my 'thin' buildings - those made of styrene vs. expanded foam - to give everything a unified look. There's Airfix, BMC, and Britains represented here. The soldiers were a combination of Britains and 21s Century and just whatever I could find that I liked. The cobblestone road is a vinyl sheet from Lemax and is part of their Village Collection. Well, without further ado - Enjoy! Opa Fritz

The board measures 2' (60.96cm) x 4' (121.92cm)

Germans advance to outlying positions

A quiet moment

Shots ring out

The town is under fire and a lone StuG tries to intercept the advancing American army

Preparing for a fight

This advance party of Americans is going to have it tough but there are many more behind them.

Sniper

He doesn't know it yet, but this sniper is going to clock out shortly!

After a hard fight the Americans warily make their way through town

For some the war is over.

Memorial Day Fun: New Diorama Project

I've been wanting to do this for about the past year now and yesterday I finally got off my butt and started. The basis is a 2' (60.96cm) x4' (121.92cm) board that was originally intended to be a small clockwork train layout (I may still do that because there's a second same-sized board in The Cave). The board had already been painted so that saved some time. Next I pulled out my Christmas decorating cobblestone  road material. It was cut down to 8 1/2" (21.59cm) W. Why that? Well, after pulling out a bunch of tanks and Jeeps and trucks I decided on a width that would more-or-less accomodate a tank and a Jeep side-by-side. The buildings are a mix of Britains Deetail, 21st Century, FOV, and TSSD; the figures are Britains, FOV, 21st Century; and the vehicles 21st Century, Britains, and Classic Toy Soldiers. 

What you see here was a quickie shoot. After pulling all these toys out I only had a few minutes to take the pics before needing to head out for groceries. This is not the finished diorama and I'm mulling over several different possibilites but for now it's okay. Enjoy! Opa Fritz